Our Future First: let’s make sustainable choices

Our Future First is a new programme from the Sustainability Services team that encourages everyone to think about the small ways we can help the planet.

Sustainability is one of the four principles in the University Strategy, with significant work taking place to limit our institutional impact on the climate.

At the other end of the scale, each of us can make conscious choices that, collectively, add up to making a significant difference to the planet.

Whether that’s switching off lights and equipment whenever possible, sending fewer documents to print, or packing a refillable water bottle every day, there are lots of actions we can take.

Sustainability champions are being identified in each School and Function at the University and will be in place in the coming weeks. They, with the help of the Sustainability Services Team, will be on hand to offer advice, and encourage collective actions across their teams.

Alongside the efforts of the sustainability champions network, we’ll be providing more tips on the Staff Portal and sharing examples of how colleagues have taken positive action, either as individuals or by driving bigger institutional changes, to help inspire others.

Through Our Future First, there will be:

• At least 30 lead sustainability champions across the University at first, with an ambition to grow.
• Success stories that highlight positive changes colleagues and others in our University community have made.
• Monthly Library drop-in sessions with the Sustainability Services team for advice.
• Chances to win prizes when colleagues log their efforts through #DoingUoRBit.

Why it matters

Climate research, much led by scientists at Reading, has shown the devastating impact greenhouse gas emissions is having globally, including rising sea levels, food shortages and health impacts as temperatures rise.

As a major institution in the region, the University has a responsibility to reduce its carbon footprint to contribute to local and national net zero ambitions. We have made great progress on this, halving our carbon emissions over the last 13 years, increasing recycling rates and securing significant external funding to boost decarbonisation work on campus.

Reducing the use of fossil fuels on our campuses also has a financial benefit, with energy bills likely to only rise further.

While individual actions can only play a small part in comparison, collectively they have the potential to make a significant contribution to our sustainability ambitions. Every colleague and student making one small change to their daily lives would mean more than 20,000 steps being taken towards a greener future.

Dan Fernbank, Energy & Sustainability Director, said: “Research taking place here at the University shows the devastating impact that climate change is already having on the world.

“This is a critical moment, but it’s important that we don’t lose sight of the collective impact that individual actions can have in slowing the march of climate change.

“Our Future First will help empower colleagues with the knowledge and confidence to make sustainable choices every day.

“We can’t do everything, but we can all do something.”

For more information and advice on getting started, visit rdg.ac/ourfuturefirst.